The Twelve Tasks of Asterix

The Twelve Tasks of Asterix Les Douze travaux d'Astérix
Original theatrical release poster
Directed by	René Goscinny Albert Uderzo Pierre Watrin Henri Gruel Don Jurwich (English)
Produced by	Georges Dargaud René Goscinny Albert Uderzo Don Jurwich (English)
Screenplay by	Pierre Tchernia René Goscinny Albert Uderzo
Based on	Asterix by René Goscinny Albert Uderzo
Music by	Gérard Calvi Paul Williams (US Version)
Edited by	René Chaussy Isabel García de Herreros Minouche Gauzins Michèle Neny
Production company	Dargaud Films Les Productions René Goscinny Studios Idefix Halas and Batchelor Cartoon Films Paramount Pictures (1976, U.S.)
Distributed by	Cinema International Corporation (1976, U.K.) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (1976, U.S.)
Release date	1976 (1976)
Running time	82 min.
Country	France Belgium
Language	French English

The Twelve Tasks of Asterix (Les Douze travaux d'Astérix) is a 1976 Belgian/French animated feature film based on the Asterix comic book series. René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, the creators of the series, wrote the story and directed the film themselves; with co-direction by Pierre Watrin and the screenplay co-written by Pierre Tchernia, a friend of Goscinny and Uderzo. The movie was directed, produced and animated at Goscinny and Uderzo's own animation studio, Studios Idéfix and is the only Asterix animated film that has used the Xerography Process.

It is the only Asterix movie to date (animated or live-action) to be based on an original screenplay rather than on material from any of the comic book stories. Later, however, it was adapted into a comic book as well as an illustrated text story book and a series of twelve books for young readers.

After a group of legionaries is once again beaten up by the gauls, they imagine: "With such huge strength, they can't be human... they must be gods". Julius Caesar is informed, and laughs. He makes a decision with his council and goes to Armorica, to speak with Vitalstatistix. He gives the Gauls a series of 12 tasks, inspired by Hercules (but new ones, since the 12 Labours are outdated). Vitalstatistix assembles their best warriors, Asterix and Obelix, to do the job. The Roman Caius Tiddlus is sent along with them to guide them and check they complete each task.

After the Gauls succeed in every task, Caesar agrees that they are gods, gives them control of the Roman Empire, and retires to live with Cleopatra in a little house in the country. Caius Tiddlus takes his reward by retiring to the Isle of Pleasure. In the village's celebration, Obelix asks Asterix if the Gauls really did conquer Rome. Asterix tells him that everything that happened to them was a mere cartoon, in which everything is possible. Obelix takes advantage of this and teleports himself and his wild boar meat to the Isle of Pleasure, to enjoy himself.